How The Rays Turned Bryan Baker Into An All-Star Closer

The Rays entered the 2026 season with an unsettled closer situation for the first time in years. Manager Kevin Cash ’s fickle ninth-inning usage ended when Pete Fairbanks emerged. From 2017 through 2022, a different reliever led Tampa Bay in saves each season. Fairbanks became the permanent closer in 2023 and paced the club in saves for three straight years. With Fairbanks signing with the Marlins in free agency, the Rays had a vacancy to fill. I dug into the candidates over the winter to find the best fit.